About Highland pony Horses

Highland Ponies originated in the Highlands of Scotland andrnthe islands off Scotlandâ€™s west coast. It is believed that they had lived therernfor thousands of years. Starting from about the 6th century the Dukes of Atholrnwere influential breeders of the Highland Pony and introduced eastern blood torncreate a hardy, sure footed, and long lived pony suitable for the harshrnenvironment. Their strength and sturdy built made the Highland Pony a popularrnchoice as an army mount, in harness work hauling timber, as a mount forrnshepherds, and as a pack horse for deer stalkers to carry the shot stagsrnweighing more than 101kg (16 stones) into the hills and back.

rnrnIn 1923 the Highland Pony Society was founded and untilrnrecently the breed was divided into the smaller, lighter Western Isles type,rnand the heavier Mainland type standing up to 14.2hh. There are approximatelyrn6,000 Highland Ponies worldwide, mainly in Scotland and England with smallrnnumbers in France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Canada, and the United States.